ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — A remembrance honoring the late John Kiley, who served as the Diocese of Davenport’s social action director, is planned for Saturday, Oct. 16, with an unofficial “fun run” on Arsenal Island in Rock Island, Ill., and a gathering at the Blue Cat Brew Pub in Rock Island. Kiley, an accomplished runner, volunteer and supporter of social justice causes, died suddenly Feb. 15, 2009 at his home in Davenport.
The free, three-mile fun run is open to everyone and begins on the Arsenal at 5 p.m. A photo ID is required to enter the island. Participants are invited to walk, jog or run a three-mile course around the island. A celebration “In Honor of John” will follow upstairs at the Blue Cat Brew Pub in Rock Island. Organizers hope to gain local support for establishing an annual “5Kiley” celebration in the Quad-Cities.
“We want to honor a man who loved the Quad-Cities,” says Kathy Weiss, one of several organizers. “We would also like to support those organizations and projects that were near and dear to John, such as Café on Vine.”
Kiley helped establish the Davenport soup kitchen while serving as the diocese’s social action director, a position he held until his death.
“He touched so many lives here and we feel it’s important to celebrate this rare gem, who was a friend to all.”
For more information or to volunteer, please e-mail kileyrun@gmail.com or call Julie Davenport at (563) 449-4388.
